Rivers re-run: PDP senators urge INEC to release result

By Ezrel Tabiowo
Abuja

Opposition senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to, as a matter of urgency, release the outstanding collated results of the re-run national and state Assembly elections conducted last week in Rivers state.
Speaking to newsmen yesterday immediately after a meeting, the senators condemned the widespread violence that marred the elections.

In a communiqué issued by the Senate Minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, and read to Journalists after the meeting, the Senate PDP caucus called on President Muhammadu Buhari to support the ongoing commission of enquiry investigating the killings in the Rivers re-run elections with a view to bringing the perpetrators of the violence and killings to justice.
They noted the efforts of the National Chairman of the PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff, in rebuilding the party and passed a vote of confidence on him.
The communiqué read: “The PDP Senate Caucus met on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, with most of the Senators in attendance.

“The Caucus noted the reports from the just concluded rerun elections in Rivers state particularly the declaration of results in units, wards and local government collation centres and resolved accordingly:
“That lNEC should as a matter of urgency release the outstanding results in the Rivers state re—run elections particularly results that were collated from all polling units/wards/local government areas in their possession with immediate effect.

“The Caucus reviewed the decision of INEC of our Party, PDP, and agreed that the timetable of the Party Congresses and National Convention remain sacrosanct. This was re—iterated by the National Chairman of the Party, His Excellency, Ali Modu Sheriff, who attended the Caucus and briefed members accordingly.
“The Caucus agreed to send a delegation to visit Rivers state with a view to congratulating the Governor, His Excellency Barrister Nyesom Wike on the electoral victories, and also to commiserate with the wounded and families of people who lost their loved ones in the re- run elections in Rivers state particularly the youth corps member who was slain in the imbroglio.

“The Caucus also calls on lNEC to as a matter of urgency reschedule the lmo North re-run Senatorial election without further delay pointing out that the 90 days ordered by the court had since lapsed.
“The Caucus also calls on lNEC to reschedule similar re-run elections in Anambra Central and Kogi East Senatorial districts. The caucus condemns in totality the acts of violence perpetrated by enemies of democracy during the re-run elections in Rivers state.

“The Caucus calls on President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to support the ongoing commission of enquiry investigating the killings in the Rivers re-run elections with a view to bringing the perpetrators of the violence/killings to justice.
“The Caucus urges the political class to exhibit tolerance for multi- party democracy in the nation to discourage political impunity in all ramifications.”